Acrobatic and gymnastic spotting apparatus

ABSTRACT

An athletic trainer has a spotting apparatus received by a support frame. A pair of connected, spaced-apart lateral supports define the support frame and provide a pair of pivotal support surfaces that together provide a first axis of rotation, about which the spotting apparatus may selectively rotate. The spotting apparatus may consist of connected front and back braces with a ledge seat attached to the back brace for support and comfort. Alternatively, the spotting apparatus may be a unitary, substantially circular brace having an internal bearing raceway and attached support webbing that permit rotation about a second axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/804,265, filed Jun. 8, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to athletic training equipment and, more particularly, to such equipment for training athletes in gymnastics, acrobatics, and like athletic movements. More specifically, the present invention relates to a spotting apparatus utilizing a transportable frame to support a spotting seat cage in a manner providing a user with one or multiple axes of rotation within the support frame.

BACKGROUND ART

The worldwide popularity of Cirque du Soleil productions harkens back to the days of the big top and the “Greatest Show on Earth.” Acrobatic performers demonstrating advanced gymnastic procedures that communicate seemingly effortless artistry. Reality, of course, is quite different—the performers are highly skilled athletes that must continually train body and mind to accomplish the techniques required for a night's performance.

Many of the audience favorites involve suspended artists performing maneuvers in an apparently weightless condition. While wires and harnesses are not new technology, these newer shows have placed requirements on this older technology that were never intended. In most cases, the performer pays the price, in terms of greater stresses placed on his/her body.

In some cases, these stresses require the performer to limit his/her time in the harness or risk career-ending injuries. A need exists for a redesigned support harness that enables a performer to practice the performance maneuvers and perform them in an environment that is more physically comfortable without sacrificing safety and support.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An athletic trainer comprising: a support frame having a pair of lateral supports attached to one another in a spaced-apart manner, each of said pair of lateral supports having a base member and a lateral frame extending therefrom, said lateral frame comprising a pair of members attached to one another at a first end in a manner defining a pivotal support surface and each pair of members separately attached at a respective second end to said base member; and a spotting apparatus having a front brace and a rear brace, said spotting apparatus received in a caged manner by each of said pivotal support surfaces, whereby said pivotal support surfaces of said pair of lateral supports cooperatively define a first axis of rotation, about which said caged spotting apparatus may selectively rotate.

According to aspects of embodiments of the present invention, an athlete in the athletic trainer is supported within the spotting apparatus by the support frame, which in turn is supported—not suspended. The support frame thus eliminates the requirement for rigging that is typically required to create this aerial state. The support frame also eliminates the requirement for a high-ceiling location, which is a requirement for rigging installations.

Another aspect in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is the stabilization of the center of gravity. Once installed within the spotting apparatus, as supported by the support frame, the athlete is airborne, and the center of gravity becomes the point of rotation. Such rotational motion is initiated by muscle contraction by the athlete, and not by a motor or by a random momentum. The athlete has full control of the direction and speed of rotation.

Another aspect in accordance with embodiments of the present invention relates to comfort and ease of adjustment. The spotting apparatus forms a rigid structure surrounding the waist of the athlete, and acts as a safety cage—the body of the athlete is not compressed. The rigid ledge seat in the spotting apparatus supports the buttocks and can easily be adjusted in height to fit children as well as tall adults. The shoulder support straps secure the position of the athlete in the upside down position.

A still further aspect in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is about the ease with which the athletic trainer can be installed and re-located. The structure is exceedingly light and can easily be re-located—even when fully assembled. The design of the support frame makes it easy to assemble and tear down for storage.

These and various other advantages and features of the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims. Reference should also be had to the drawings which form a further part hereof, as well as to the accompanying descriptive matter in which are illustrated and described in various examples of with the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spotting apparatus and supporting frame.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing an attachment of the spotting apparatus to the supporting frame.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the spotting apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the spotting apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, of the spotting apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a performer held within the spotting apparatus in an up-side down position relative to the supporting frame.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a performer held within the spotting apparatus in a right-side up position relative to the supporting frame.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an athletic trainer in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of an athletic trainer having a supplemental support brace.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view from inside a support frame of a rotational axis shaft of a spotting apparatus as received by a pivotal support surface.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view from outside a support frame of a rotational axis shaft of a spotting apparatus as received by a pivotal support surface.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a spotting apparatus with a seat and support webbing.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12 of a seat and support webbing as attached to a rear brace of a spotting apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a support frame and a spotting apparatus having a substantially circular brace.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. In FIG. 1, a spotting apparatus 10 is shown supported by a support frame 14. A pair of support brackets 18 receive the spotting apparatus 10, which is attached thereto using a pair of rotation brackets 22 to enable rotational movement of the spotting apparatus 10 relative to the pair of support brackets 18.

A pair of end supports 26 are located on each end of the pair of support brackets 18. U-shaped in form, each of the pair of end supports 26 consist of a pair of uprights 32 that are attached to one-another by a base connector 34. Each of the pair of uprights 32 is attached to a separate one of the pair of support brackets 18, with the resultant construction of the support frame 14 maintaining the latitudinal stability of the support brackets 18. A pair of telescopic adjustable bars 16 are attached towards the bottom of the U-shaped end support 26.

The spotting apparatus 10 consists of a rear brace 42 and a front brace 44, with the rear brace extending outwardly a sufficient distance to be received by the rotation brackets 22, as is shown in FIG. 1. Of course, the spotting apparatus 10 may be supported by other structures not shown in the Figures. For example, when used during a performance, the extending portions of the rear brace 42 might be received by pillow blocks with hanging points, which would permit the use of the spotting apparatus 10 by “flying” artists (not shown in the Figures).

Returning once again to FIG. 1, a support webbing 48 is attached to the spotting apparatus 10 to provide further restraint to a user (not shown in FIG. 1). The support webbing 48 preferably consists of a front suspenders 52 that extends over a user and attaches to a pair of suspender attachments 54 that are placed upon the front brace 44. In addition, a pair of leg straps 56 are also provided, with each extending from between a user's legs, crossing a (separate) leg, to a seat strap attachment 58 located on the rear brace 42.

A securement pin 62 is used to lock the front brace 44 to the rear brace 42. As is best shown in FIG. 2, the front brace 44 is preferably a double bar brace 66A, 66B connected together using brace fasteners 68 (shown as nut/bolt connector in FIG. 2). The rear brace 42 is received between the double bars 66A, 66B and the securement pin releasably fastens them together. A double brace is presently preferred as forming a more secure connection, as well as for ease of manufacture. In addition, the double brace provides a greater surface area over which the artist's weight can be spread when being fully borne by the double brace. However, it is to be understood that other variations are acceptable, such as single bar front, double bar rear—or both single/double bars.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to utilize a more permanent connection between the front brace 44 and the rear brace 42, such as replacing the securement pin 62 with one of the brace fasteners 68. In such an instance, a user would be required to “slip in” to the unified brace structure, instead of being permitted to “walk in” as is the case with a pivoting front brace 44 as shown in FIG. 3.

When pivoting about a second point of attachment to the rear brace 42, the front brace 44 is able to swing sufficiently wide that a user can easily be positioned against the rear brace 42. Once so positioned, the front brace 44 again pivots to a closed position, where it is again (temporarily) attached to the rear brace 42.

Referring once again to FIG. 3, a seat 72 is attached to the rear brace 42 using a vertical adjustment bar 76. The latter permits a user to adjust the height of the seat, and thereby adjust the center of gravity of the user to a vertical position that is substantially the same as the rear brace 42 (also the axis of rotation).

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the vertical adjustment bar 76 is provided with a plurality of seat fasteners 78 that may be placed anywhere along a vertical array of openings (also see FIG. 1), which together enable a user to set the seat 72 at an appropriate height over a wide variety of body heights and weights.

In FIG. 6 an acrobat 82 has rotated to an upside-down position relative to the support frame 14, while being comfortably secured within the spotting apparatus 10. Continued rotation of the acrobat 82 relative to the support frame 14 returns the acrobat 82 to an up-right position. When properly adjusted, only minor shifts in body weight are required to obtain large rotational body movements of the acrobat 82.

The spotting apparatus 10 and the support frame 14 of the present invention are both preferably fabricated out of a light-weight metal, such as the present choice of light-weight steel. Aluminum might also be appropriate, although there is a concern regarding its ability to fail by shattering.

In a presently preferred embodiment, the support frame 14 includes the pair of adjustable telescopic bars 16 measuring 44 inches in length at the shortest to 68 inches at the longest (it is triangular in cross-section). The height adjustment of the frame is achieved by lengthening or shortening the telescopic bars 16. Ideally, the entire support frame 14 weighs no more than approximately 30 pounds, and can be collapsed without tools to fit within a carrier bag (not shown in the Figures).

The front and rear braces 44, 42 together form a “cage” for containment of the artist. In past spotting apparatus, the artist was secured within the device by harnesses, which were required to be extremely tight—often to the point of causing physical harm to the artist. In the present embodiment, the cage formed by the front and rear braces provides a great deal of security to the artist, who is held in place by the seat and support webbing.

The cage, seat, and support webbing cooperative work together to restrain the artist in a manner that cannot be obtained by harnesses, which were forced to provide both support and restraint. As an example, when the artist rotates either forward or back, the only “restraint” felt is the front or back of the cage—unlike where harnesses are used, which also grip the artist's sides. The relatively greater freedom provided by the present invention permits the artist to make greater use of his/her muscles while placed in these unusual attitudes.

The rear brace 42, which also forms the rotational axis, measures 46 inches in length, and is uniformly curved, reaching a maximum deviation from linear of 4.5 inches at a location 23 inches from either end. The front brace 44 consists of a double-bar construction, each of 40 inches in length and uniformly curved, with a maximum deviation from linear of 7½ inches at a location 20 inches from either end.

The support webbing is preferably fabricated out of any of several types of synthetic fabric material, with conventionally adjustable COBRA® Buckles used as the fasteners to attach the webbing to the restraints. The seat 72 is preferably fabricated out of a solid material, such as medium soft steel, having a semi-circular shape that measures 13 inches by 4 inches. The seat forms an “attachment” location for the artist to the cage, and is not required to be a full seat in terms of size—such would actually interfere with some maneuvers. The vertical adjustment bar measures 8 inches in length and can be fabricated out of very strong materials, such as high-strength steel and aluminum alloys.

In a presently preferred alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, an athletic trainer 92 includes a double-bar spotting apparatus 96 that is positioned upon a pair of triangular lateral supports 98. A pair of base support connectors 102 attach together the pair of lateral supports 98, creating a supporting frame 104. A base frame 106 of the supporting frame 104 includes the pair of base support connectors 102 and a base member 108 that forms the supporting member for each of the pair of lateral supports 98. Preferably, the base member 108 consists of a pair of telescoping bars 108 a, 108 b.

A pair of circular skid pads 114 are received by each of the base support connectors 102 and provide both vertical and lateral support to the athletic trainer 92. Further stabilization is sometimes required, such as when the acrobat/user is performing dynamic or violent actions. In such cases the circular skid pads 114 might be replaced by bolt-down attachments or guy-wire attachments (both not shown in the Figures) or, as is shown in FIG. 9, a supplemental support brace 118.

The triangular lateral supports 98 include a base member 102 and a pair of upright members 122. In FIG. 10 the pair of upright members 122 are attached to one another utilizing a connector plate 126. A receiving slot 128 is formed in an upper portion of the connector plate 126. A split-collar bearing 132 is positioned in the base of the receiving slot 128, and receives a rotational axis shaft 136 that extends from the spotting apparatus 96.

The rotational axis shaft 136 is provided an inscribed bearing surface 138 that is received by the split-collar bearing 132 to better maintain the lateral position of the rotational axis shaft 136 relative to the connector plate 126. Vertical restraint of the rotational axis shaft 136 is provided by a slot cap connector 144 that is attached to the connector plate 126 and extends across the receiving slot 128. Further restraint is provided by a terminal collar 148 that is attached adjacent an end of the rotational axis shaft 136, as is depicted in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 shows a ledge seat 148 centrally located within a double bar spotting apparatus 96. While it is contemplated that some padding will be included on the ledge seat 148 (not shown in FIG. 12), the seat is reduced in size to avoid interfering with certain types of movement by the athlete. Upper body support webbing 152 and lower body support webbing 154 are attached to the ledge seat 148. Such webbing may include the leg straps 56 as part of the lower body support webbing 154 and the suspender attachments 54 as part of the upper body support webbing 152.

The ledge seat 148 is attached to the back brace 158, a double bar brace, similar to the front brace 44. The presently preferred manner of attachment is best shown in FIG. 13. A two-piece seat clamp 164 is attached to the front and back sides of the back brace 158 using a pair of threaded connectors 166. By incorporating the ledge seat 148 into this same connection, the same pair of threaded connectors 166 also tightly holds the ledge seat 148 against the two-piece seat clamp 164.

FIG. 14 illustrates the use of the supporting frame 104 as a support base for a substantially circular, unitary brace spotting apparatus 172—such as is presently offered for sale by Norbert's Athletic Products, Inc., under the product name “Rotator Twisting Belts” (see www.norberts.net). These circular braces typically have support webbing that is attached to support brackets extending from bearing raceways. As so supported, the webbing permits rotational movement about a second axis of rotation, with the rotational axis shafts 136 providing rotational movement of the athlete about a first axis of rotation.

My invention has been disclosed in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof, which provides an athletic trainer having a support frame and spotting apparatus that is of great novelty and utility. Various changes, modifications, and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications. 

1. An athletic trainer comprising: a support frame having a pair of lateral supports attached to one another in a spaced-apart manner, each of said pair of lateral supports having a base member and a lateral frame extending therefrom, said lateral frame comprising a pair of members attached to one another at a first end in a manner defining a pivotal support surface and each pair of members separately attached at a respective second end to said base member; and a spotting apparatus having a front brace and a rear brace, said spotting apparatus received in a caged manner by each of said pivotal support surfaces, whereby said pivotal support surfaces of said pair of lateral supports cooperatively define a first axis of rotation, about which said caged spotting apparatus may selectively rotate.
 2. An athletic trainer according to claim 1, wherein each of said base members of said pair of lateral supports comprises: a pair of base member extensions, on of said pair of extensions slidably received within the other of said pair of extensions in a telescoping manner.
 3. An athletic trainer according to claim 2, wherein the length of said base members is selectively adjustable.
 4. An athletic trainer according to claim 1, wherein said front brace and said rear brace of said spotting apparatus collectively comprise a unitary, substantially circular brace.
 5. An athletic trainer according to claim 4, and further comprising: a bearing raceway formed within said unitary brace and extending about an inner circumference thereof; at least one support bracket received within and extending from said bearing raceway in a manner enabling substantially unhindered movement of said support bracket within said bearing raceway; and a support webbing attached to each of said at least one support brackets.
 6. An athletic trainer according to claim 5, wherein said unhindered movement of said at least one support bracket and said attached support webbing defines a second axis of rotation.
 7. An athletic trainer according to claim 1, wherein said front brace and said back brace are attached to one-another at respective first and second lateral ends thereof.
 8. An athletic trainer according to claim 7, wherein said front brace comprises a double-bar brace.
 9. An athletic trainer according to claim 8, wherein said back brace comprises a double-bar brace.
 10. An athletic trainer according to claim 9, wherein said respective second end attachment of said front and back braces comprises a hinged connection.
 11. An athletic trainer according to claim 10, wherein said respective first end attachment of said front and back braces is a selectively securable connection.
 12. An athletic trainer according to claim 11, wherein said respective first end connection of said front and back braces comprises a retaining pin connection.
 13. An athletic trainer according to claim 7, wherein a rotational axis shaft extends from said first and said second lateral end attachments of said front and back braces, each of said rotational axis shafts selectively received by a respective one of said pivotal support surfaces.
 14. An athletic trainer according to claim 7, and further comprising a seat attached to said back brace.
 15. An athletic trainer according to claim 14, and further comprising a seat bracket having an attachment extension formed therein, said attachment extension having a plurality of separate seat points of attachment spaced along said attachment extension, said seat bracket attached to said back brace and said seat attached to said attachment extension at a select one of said seat points of attachment.
 16. An athletic trainer according to claim 15, and further comprising at least one support webbing attached to said seat.
 17. An athletic trainer according to claim 16, and further comprising a plurality of support webbing attachments releasably attached to both said front and said rear braces.
 18. An athletic trainer according to claim 1, and further comprising at least one supplemental support brace attached to said support frame.
 19. An athletic trainer according to claim 18, wherein a pair of side supplemental support braces are provided, each of said pair of side supplemental support braces are attached to a respective one of said pair of lateral supports. 